"Free Calls" Who Is Paying?

st999

Calls over wi-fi are not free. They are included in the cost of the wi-fi connection.

If I don't make calls it still costs me the same when I do so to me the calls are FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

polymaff

Can I try to clear my own understanding of all this?

I want to call my granny in Watford.  I've a PC, an Echo Dot and unlimited Wifi over a landline with no free calls bundled.  The only thing she has is a landline 01923 1****6.

1.  If I have no mobile phone, can I call her at no cost to either of us?

2.  If I have a mobile phone on true PAYG (no monthly fee, no bundled minutes, just a credit balance), Same question

3.  If I also have a SIM-less Galaxy S5, Same question

M,MTIA

Uptown_Boy

If that's her actual phone number pleeeeeease edit your post to delete it! What were you thinking of? 🙄

st999

polymaff said:

Can I try to clear my own understanding of all this?

I want to call my granny in Watford.  I've a PC, an Echo Dot and unlimited Wifi.  The only thing she has is a landline 01923 123456.

1.  If I have no mobile phone, can I call her at no cost to either of us?

2.  If I have a mobile phone on true PAYG (no monthly fee, no bundled minutes, just a credit balance), Same question

3.  If I also have a SIM-less Galaxy S5, Same question

M,MTIA

1. not with Alexa you can't, you need a mobile phone number and a contacts list associated with Alexa Show.

2. I don't know

3. still don't know.

The original post was about free calls using an Alexa show which I am still doing.

polymaff

Uptown_Boy said:

If that's her actual phone number pleeeeeease edit your post to delete it! What were you thinking of? 🙄

It's not her real number - but I'll edit it.

polymaff

st999 said:

The original post was about free calls using an Alexa show which I am still doing.

Is an Echo Dot that different from an "I got an Echo Show 5" (your words)?

If you are getting such a call "free" is that solely because your mobile contract covers the cost of the call itself?

searchlight123

SnowTiger said:

Nick_C wrote: »

https://www.amazon.co.uk/l/12728352031#com

Amazon are suggesting you can make a free call to a landline! This is very different to Skype or WhatsApp.

So Amazon must be paying for the final bit of the connection?

It's been possible to make free calls to ordinary landline and mobile numbers via Google Home and Amazon Alexa devices for some time now.

On Android, if I select a contact from within the Alexa app and try to call it I'm diverted to my phone's standard dialling app and the call is placed as a normal phone call.

If, however, I say 'Call SnowTiger's mobile' the call is made free via Alexa.

I guess the wholesale price for phone calls is so low that it costs these big tech companies virtually nothing to offer free calls.

would you know if the alexa app is asked to call a spanish mobile number (from the UK), would this result in a free call or be charged to me. i'm on EE sim only.
many thanks.

polymaff

It seems to me that if a number  - any number - is to be dialled - either by yourself or by Alexa - then you will pay the same - i.e. the only free aspect of it being done by Alexa is that it  "at no additional cost" (Alexa's carefully-chosen words) dials that number and handles the call via its own always-on connection with your mobile provider on your behalf.

Yes/No?

polymaff

And your Asda product is?

https://mobile.asda.com/bundles

Note from EE's website:

"If you’re on an EE pay monthly plan you can use your compatible Alexa device to make and receive calls without even picking up your phone. It’s free to set up. Calls come out of your monthly allowance as normal and out of allowance calls will be charged at your standard rate."